Choline key to reducing child illness risk in pregnancy

Researchers claim that a nutrient called choline, found in foods like beans, eggs, meat and broccoli, could help reduce the risk of children developing stress-related illness and other chronic conditions, during pregnancy.

Scientists at the Cornell University in the US studied a group of 26 women in the third trimester of their pregnancies.

In particular, they examined a number of 'epigenetic markers' in these test subjects.

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These markers are chemicals that attach to DNA strands and influence how genes work and develop and are important in determining whether individual genes work properly or remain inert.

As part of the test, some of the women took 480mg of choline on a daily basis through either supplements or in their diet, while another group consumed 930mg per day.

The study showed that those taking the larger dose had more chemicals added to their DNA, thus altering the genes that regulate hormone activity in the body.

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In particular, the genes that regulate the production of cortisol were turned down by around 33 per cent in the mother's babies' blood. A reduction in this hormone, which is linked to a number of stress and metabolic disorders, is a definite plus.

Professor Eva Pressman, who led the study, said.'One day we might prescribe choline in the same way we prescribe folate to all pregnant women. It is cheap and has virtually no side effects at the doses provided in this study.'

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